I wrote: >I don't know what the secondhand price for the 100-400L IS is in the UK, >but I would consider buying one secondhand if the price were right and the >right lens came along. It's a well-built lens.
Tim Franklin wrote: >Also, in [Andy Rouse's] experience the 100-400mm is too fragile. He had to >have the IS mechanism repaired four times in one year! Andy might be right. Although I said it was a "well-built lens", I should perhaps have added a couple of experiences that I had with the 100-400 IS lens. The first 100-400 that I had developed a weird IS problem after just a few weeks (image jumping around in the viewfinder while the IS was switched on). It was very difficult to convince Canon that there was a problem (I'll spare you the details, but it eventually involved sending a letter to Canon USA's senior management). Finally Canon replaced the lens under warranty. The replacement soon developed a fault with the zoom tightening ring that Canon said was caused by physical damage to the lens (the lens looked outwardly perfect, by the way). I had been very careful with the lens, and the only time that it could have been damaged was when it travelled in the overhead locker of a commercial aircraft, in its soft case, and in a padded bag. So perhaps I was wrong to say that it is well-built. I think that the reason why I did not mention this in my previous message was that I still wonder whether there was a problem with the replacement lens before Canon sent it to me, so I don't know what kind of treatment caused the problem. The most important thing is that it takes great photos. I'd still consider the 100-400 OK to buy second-hand, if you have a chance to inspect the lens first. However, I once watched a TV program about Andy Rouse, and I was shocked by the way that he left his lenses without back-caps on the hood/bonnet of his Jeep while on safari. I know that he's a pro, and the lens is just a tool, and some of us amateurs tend to be too cautious about how we treat our lenses, but I would never leave a lens without a backcap. Of course, this would not have contributed to his problem with the IS mechanism. Gerry * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
